Briefing Regarding Racial and Ethnic Data on May 28 -- California Capitol Hill Bulletin -- Volume 10, Bulletin 15 -- May 23, 2003

On Wednesday, May 28, 2003 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Room 2168 (The Gold Room) of the Rayburn House Office Building, the American Sociological Association, California Institute for Federal Policy Research, Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics, and Population Resource Center will host a briefing entitled Racial and Ethnic Data -- Why It Is Collected, How it Is Used.

Former Rep. Thomas C. Sawyer, who served as Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the House Subcommittee on the Census in the 1990s, will moderate a discussion regarding racial and ethnic categories by three speakers -- Dr. Troy Duster, New York University and University of California, Berkeley; Dr. Brian Smedley, The National Academies/Institute of Medicine; and Gerald Sanders, former San Diego Police Chief and now Chief Operating Officer of Virtual Capital of California. Some argue that, although not necessarily reflecting biological or genetic differences, the distinctions represent socially significant constructs that aid in understanding and addressing inequalities in primary social institutions such as health care, law enforcement and criminal justice, the workplace, and education. Attendees will receive ASA's report entitled, The Importance of Collecting Data and Doing Social Scientific Research on Race.

Light refreshments will be served. To attend, please reply (acceptances only, thank you) and direct any questions to Johanna Ebner at public.affairs@asanet.org or 202-383-9005, ext. 332.

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